4.4 NPO funds for the realization of research.
Included within the NPO is that Dutch universities receive funds to address research delays of mostly young researchers on temporary employment contracts. These NPO funds, supplemented by allocated funds from the NWO, have been used within Tilburg University to extend temporary employment contracts of PhD researchers, tenure trackers, and post-doctoral researchers who encountered delays due to the coronavirus crisis. The university received a total budget of €2.6 million from the NPO, supplemented by NWO funds, for 2021 and 2022.
For the deployment of these NPO and NWO funds, the directive Solution Strategies for (Possible) Delay of Research due to the COVID-19 Crisis for Temporary Researchers at Tilburg University was drawn up. The directive supports researchers and their managers or (co-)supervisors to discuss the progress of the research and to determine which solution strategies can be used to prevent (further) research delays. This always involves customization.
For bottleneck cases and when legally possible, the possibility of extending the temporary employment contract can be considered. As a capstone, the directive outlines a procedure for applying for and granting the NPO and NWO funds allocated to Tilburg University for the purpose of extending temporary employment contracts. The review of applications for contract extensions is made by the Central Delay Committee. The Committee, established by the Executive Board, reviews the applications on the basis of the directive.
After one earlier emergency round and two regular rounds in 2021, third and fourth, also final, rounds were organized in 2022 in which PhD researchers, tenure trackers and post-doctoral researchers could apply for contract extensions. Within this application, researchers should indicate the following:
the degree of delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the factors that caused it;
why other solution strategies are not possible; and
the manner in which efforts are made during an extension to achieve the intended result.
The call for applications was distributed via the Deans and Directors, the Graduate Schools, an intranet message, the newsletter, and a direct email to the PhD researchers.
Expenditure in 2022
In 2022, a total of 82 temporary researchers were assisted by honoring their applications for contract extensions. An amount of €1.2 million has been estimated for these contract extensions. In total (2021 and 2022), 176 temporary researchers were assisted by means of granting their application for contract extensions. The realized and estimated costs for this amount to €2.8 million. Overspendings of the available NPO and NWO budgets were financed by the Schools.
The actual expenditure incurred in 2022 amounts to €903K. Expenditures are accounted for based on actual labor costs. Other costs such as material costs or indirect salary raises are not included. In 2022, 46 researchers were assisted through contract extensions. Temporary researchers who have previously used the 0.45% pay bargaining range (2020) or have already received a contract extension from NPO funds (2021) are not included.
Looking at the realized costs up to and including 2022 and the received NPO and NWO budget (€2,430 million NPO and €206K NWO), an amount of €1,364 million is still reserved for already awarded applications to be spent in the years 2023 and 2024.
Table 4.4.1 Spending 2022 | ||
NPO resources | Own resources | |
Spending in euros | € 903,000 | 0 (see description below) |
Number of researchers helped - unique individuals in 2022 | 46 | 0 (see description below) |
Other financial measures
In 2021, all Dutch universities received a budget from the NWO to help scientists who encountered delays due to COVID-19. Tilburg University deployed these funds amounting to €206,000 in 2021 together with NPO funds for the purpose of extending the employment contracts of temporary researchers with research delays due to COVID-19.
In total, more funds were allocated to finance contract extensions in recent rounds than the allocated NPO and NWO funds. Overspending is funded by the Schools (to be utilized in 2023–2024).
Non-financial measures
Researchers are encouraged to first work with their supervisors to look at possible revision of the research projects and possible flexibility of Tenure Track assessments to complete the research within the duration of the employment contracts. This could include using data already collected, shortening the duration of field research or longitudinal research, or adjusting (part of) the research question.
Also in 2022, there was a firm focus on community building with a focus on the well-being and connection of employees and students. Various measures were taken, such as the Golden Rules (rules to ensure that we deal with work in a healthy way), vitality programs, the use of the PhD psychologist and company counselor, an extensive range of training courses offered, and individual coaching.
